First Rod and Reel 2025
cuddlewuddle reply :
Hello fellow fisherman! I have just gotten into fishing recently with a Zebco 202 bought at Walmart on a whim. I've caught a couple bass with it using Texas rigged senkos. I'm starting to want a better fishing rod and reel, now that I know that I'm definitely into this. I was looking online and a lot of people seem to recommend a Berkley Lightning Shock Rod paired with a Pflueger President reel. Thing is, I was looking online to buy them but I don't know what size or what action I need for the rod nor what model and size of the reel I need to get. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Sincerely, your noobie fisherman (:
Florida Cracker2 reply :
I see no one has responded so I'll bite.
Welcome to the forum.
My first starter reel was a 202...over 40 years ago. Amazing they still make them. Will you be fishing small ponds and lakes? Or will you be doing any saltwater fishing? I'm assuming since you mention Texas rigged senkos it will be freshwater. I prefer very lightweight setups for bluegill and most bass in open water. If your going to try and pull them out of weeds then go a little bigger. I don't have any experience with president reels...but compared to the Zebco, I'm sure you will be happy. Keep reading here and you will find the answers...just search the posts. Take your time and if you have a basspro near you, go and check out what they have. They have many reels on handles that you can hold and feel. One will tickle your fancy I'm sure. Then get a rod that feels right with it. (balancewise while holding it at handle in front of reel) Good luck and happy fishin.
new2BC4bass reply :
Welcome to the forum. 
Personally I'd opt for the 6930X President.
I don't know what weights you fish, but FFO has a 7' MHF Verdict for less than $55. Rated 1/4-3/4 oz. http://ffo-tackle.com/ProductDirectory.cfm?Show=Rods
For fishing bottom baits a Fast or Extra Fast action is what you want. I feel a Fast action is a bit more all-around than an Extra Fast.
Personal preference again, but I'd prefer a regular Berkley Lightning over the Shock. I have a hard time getting past the color scheme of the Shock. Also it is my understanding that the Shocks have a softer action as they were designed for braid. A stiffer rod should transmit bites better than a soft action rod. Otherwise we'd all use crankbait rods for everything. 
The Lightning would have to be a Medium power rated 1/4-5/8 oz. I didn't see a MH listed.
FFO also has an Aetos 6' 7" MHF, but I have a hard time believing its listed 1/4-3/8 oz. rating. I have an Aetos casting rod, and it is not only a nice looking rod, but pretty sensitive as well.
I'm assuming you want as cheap as possible and still get something decent. That would make the Aetos over budget.
There are plenty of threads about $100 or less rods. Most are about casting, but should correlate to spinning. Fenwick's Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" M-XF casting rod is a very nice rod. So is the spinning rod of the same length, power and action. I have both.
cuddlewuddle reply :
You are a god amongst men. Thank you for replying to a poor chap like me, I wholeheartedly appreciate taking the time out of your day to do so. Wish you the best of luck in everything (:
new2BC4bass reply :
I don't know which of us you were talking about, but if me, I'd like you to talk to the company owner where I work. He has another name for me. One not quite so charitable. 
cuddlewuddle reply :
Oh no! You better tell him to be nice grrrr!
buzzed bait reply :
Very good suggestions there on the lightning rod and president. I'd look at a medium power/fast action rod somewhere between 6'6" and 7' i currently own 2 of the lightning shock spinning rods and they are very hard to beat for the money. And i'd agree that the 30 size president would be a nice match, cannot go wrong on the Pflueger spinning reels, i have 4 myself and love them. That setup would serve you well for years to come!
ww2farmer reply :
I'll echo what's already been said...............I am not a beginner, and have fished with tons of tackle ranging from basic budget stuff, to custom made rods, and everything in between, and the Pflueger President in the 6930 size is my "go-to" spinning reel, and I have a ton of those Lightning Rod Shocks that still see regular use even though my main rods are all custom builds.
Lawsonfishing1 reply :
imma go against the grain of everyone else an say pick up a abu garcia black max bait casting combo. Shure it'll take a little practice to get good at it but you will get the hang of it pretty quick an you can fish a whole lot more techniques with a bait casting Combo. I got my fist bait caster like a year an a half ago an it took me no time to learn how to cast.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 3/12/2016 at 10:39 AM, Lawsonfishing1 said:imma go against the grain of everyone else an say pick up a abu garcia black max bait casting combo. Shure it'll take a little practice to get good at it but you will get the hang of it pretty quick an you can fish a whole lot more techniques with a bait casting Combo. I got my fist bait caster like a year an a half ago an it took me no time to learn how to cast.
OP didn't ask about baitcast rod and reel. He's a newbie with a Zebco. Give him time. It won't be long before he will be asking about baitcast gear if he sticks around here very long. Then we can give him our opinions on b/c combos. My suggestion for a low cost b/c combo is to pick up a used Black Max 1600C (or 1601 if left handed), spool 8# mono or co-polymer (or 15# braid), mount on 7' Medium Lightning and hit the shore swinging. 
Total should be less than $75 for rod and reel. Add cost of line to that. The 1600 is not the most refined reel (and shouldn't be at its price), but it handles light lures quit well and casts great into strong winds without backlashing if you do your part.
ranger7717 reply :
echo - president reel....never used a lightning rod, but abu garcia vendetta and vengeance are also decent starting rods
Bluebasser86 reply :
The President in the 30 size is a great all around spinning reel for bass. I have a few of them, all on Ethos rods from Academy.
Lawsonfishing1 reply :
On 3/13/2016 at 1:22 AM, new2BC4bass said:OP didn't ask about baitcast rod and reel. He's a newbie with a Zebco. Give him time. It won't be long before he will be asking about baitcast gear if he sticks around here very long.
Then we can give him our opinions on b/c combos. My suggestion for a low cost b/c combo is to pick up a used Black Max 1600C (or 1601 if left handed), spool 8# mono or co-polymer (or 15# braid), mount on 7' Medium Lightning and hit the shore swinging.
I know it's kinda a big jump from a push button to a bait casting but it realy ain't that hard to learn to throw a bait caster. an i was mentioning the fact that he can throw a more wide variety of baits with a bait caster so if he starts to get into bass fishing. he can throw alot more baits with one rod instead of having to bite a bullet an buy anougher combo. you never know having to fork out money for anougher combo might be what turns him off of fishing.
new2BC4bass reply :
You are preaching to the choir. I grew up using spinning gear, but seldom ever leave home with one now. Most people here are baitcast fanatics. BUT not all. Some only like spinning, and that is okay. Spinning reels are used to catch bluegills to blue marlin and bigger. A couple of my brother-in-laws only use spinning. They think spending $70 on a rod or reel is ridiculous. They catch plenty of bass. (They do live in Florida...lucky devils!) My son-in-law and his father use spincast only. I've offered the use of spinning or baitcast gear to my son-in-law, but he likes his spincast reels and won't try any of my gear.
On the other hand, once I bought a baitcast rod and reel for my daughter, her spinning rods never leave home....even tho they are her favorite color.....pink. She prefers to fish Senkos. My oldest grandson won't try a baitcast reel...spinning only, while the next grandson prefers baitcast although he will occasionally use spinning. To each his own. I always try to get people to try baitcast reels as I am so fond of them, but ultimately it is up to each individual to decide what they like or don't like. The important thing is to enjoy the sport. Nothing finer than spending the day on the water fishing with family or friends.
Like you said, not everyone can afford to spend a lot on a hobby. Some that can won't. I try not to suggest a $200 rod or reel to someone only wanting to spend $100. I will suggest a $110 one, tho. 
I also strongly feel a person needs to buy what interests them rather than what someone else suggests that they need. Ultimately I think they will be happier with their purchase.
I don't agree with your statement that a wider variety of baits can be thrown on a baitcast reel even tho that is my preferred reel. People catch way bigger fish, using way bigger baits, in saltwater fishing with a spinning reel. On the other hand, only a true baitcast fanatic fishes 1/8 oz. and less lures. I think most will agree a spinning reel is much more efficient and commonly used for those weights.
I practice at a local boat ramp, and can guarantee that spinning gear outnumbers baitcast gear by a very, very wide margin in my area. Some days I never see anyone going out with a baitcast reel. I visit Florida every year and spend several days fishing, and see the same thing there. Average Joe prefers spinning gear.
cuddlewuddle reply :
Thank you for everyone that replied. I've been researching now about bait cast vs spinning and it seems there is a never ending cycle on which is better or not haha. I'm thinking of buying both my rod and reel on ffo-tackle.com and they have the president 6925x, unfortunately not the 6930x. I was wondering if you guys would prefer the 6925x with the Lightning shock Rod or if I should go with the Abu Garcia Black Max bait cast paired with the shock Rod as well. I am probably gonna be fishing weightless senkos for awhile. Also, if i do go with the president, which line should I use? Searching for line is so confusing :/
cuddlewuddle reply :
Once again, thank you new2bc4bass for going out of your way and typing out a novel for me! I have learned a lot (:
new2BC4bass reply :
I would go with 10-15# braid for the 25 size. Wrap the arbor with electrician's tape to avoid line slipping. Line capacity isn't enough to warrant using mono for backing. Senkos aren't that light. A baitcast reel would handle them fine, and give you more line options. That could be a good thing, or a bad thing. I like 12# in my area. I use a lot of Siege, but two years ago I picked up a 3000 yd spool of 12# AN40 and have been spooling that on reels going on MH rods. Liking it so far. Handles pretty good on a b/c reel without needing a line conditioner. Fluorocarbon is often recommended for bottom contact. More sensitive. Also more costly and more prone to have memory. Braid will be sensitive as long as there is tension on the line.
Picking a line gets tough. Quite a few good lines to chose from, I bought the AN40 based on a friend's recommendation. He has used it a lot and said it was very good. Last year he tried Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Mono and says it is the best mono he has ever used. McCoy is also highly recommended. If looking for ultimate abrasion resistance, Platinum and CXX are good choices, but more memory prone. Like I said, line choice is not easy because there are so many good choices and there are trade offs.
On 3/14/2016 at 5:50 AM, cuddlewuddle said:Once again, thank you new2bc4bass for going out of your way and typing out a novel for me! I have learned a lot (:
Saying I get carried away is a bit of an understatement.
Florida Cracker2 reply :
I have a lot of fishing friends and none of them use baitcasting reels...all spinning. It's because the first time they tried them they couldn't cope with the backlashes and didn't bother with them anymore. My Great Uncle used one and he got me started when I was real young. I still use mostly spinning for most of my fishing unless I'm working a shorline... then I use a baitcaster. I can stop the lure right where I want it and can rapid-fire it right back if I need to. But when it comes to real lightweight lures...spinning is the way to go. And when casting into the wind, I prefer a spinning setup.
Darren. reply :
You've got enough answers for your
question, so I'll just welcome you to
the forum. Interesting name...
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
About 10 years ago when I was getting back into fishing (from my early childhood) I was given a 6 foot Ugly Stick MH ($40) and a quantum entry level spinning reel (approx. $50) and I thought that was the best set up money could buy. Well, I soon realized that this wasn't the case. But I used that combo for about 5 years as my go to rod, without fail. I still have that combo and it still works. It was a workhorse and very forgiving (i.e. hard to break/snap). Looking back, the only flaw I had with this was a soft plastic bite detection, but then again maybe it was my ignorance too.
fishwizzard reply :
I only started fishing about 2 years ago and started with L and UL rods, due to white perch being the first species I targeted. When I became more interested in bass fishing it was hard going for a while in terms of finding the right lures and getting good hooksets. Only in the last few months have I grudgingly accepted that I am doing my self a disservice and have moved up to ML and M rods as my mainstays. I will go against the grain and suggest you start with a shorter rod, in the 5'-6' range, especially if fishing from shore. It will be much more forgiving to learn to cast with shorter rod when standing among trees and brush, and you should be working on accuracy and repeatability before distance. After you get past the fishing for trees stage, you can step up to a longer rod. If you are going to start from a boat or clear shorelines, then disregard.
Florida Cracker2 reply :
fishing for trees We call that squirrel-fishing. 
cuddlewuddle reply :
I ended up going for a Berkley shock Rod 6'6 medium fast action rod paired with a Pflueger president 6925x since both of them were on ffo for less than 65 shipped. Thank you everybody who helped me decide, much love! <3
Florida Cracker2 reply :
Hope you enjoy.
Let us know.
IndianaFinesse reply :
I know you have already decided, but next time you are looking at purchasing a rod/reel try looking at Fishing Factory Outlet. Right now they have lightning rods for 18$ and a president For 35. They don't have a huge inventory, but what the do carry is hugely discounted, usually at least 50% to 60% off. And if you watch them close, occasionally their are some great deals like a Abu Garcia villain I picked up for fifty bucks.?
ranger7717 reply :
i'm confused
DogBone_384 reply :
On 3/14/2016 at 9:12 AM, Darren. said:You've got enough answers for your
question, so I'll just welcome you to
the forum. Interesting name...
X2 - welcome to the forum!
cuddlewuddle reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 9:13 AM, Centralinfinnesse said:I know you have already decided, but next time you are looking at purchasing a rod/reel try looking at Fishing Factory Outlet. Right now they have lightning rods for 18$ and a president For 35. They don't have a huge inventory, but what the do carry is hugely discounted, usually at least 50% to 60% off. And if you watch them close, occasionally their are some great deals like a Abu Garcia villain I picked up for fifty bucks.?
That's where I bought it from haha. I just happened to pick up some extra line and some bait. If you look at earlier comment, I mentioned buying from ffo, but thanks for watching out for a fellow newbie (:
IndianaFinesse reply :
Sorry, I didn't see that. I didn't find ffo till after five years of bass fishing and buying rods. Really kicking myself for not finding it sooner, could have saved some serious money and got better equipment.
Lawsonfishing1 reply :
On 3/14/2016 at 2:56 AM, new2BC4bass said:You are preaching to the choir.
On the other hand, once I bought a baitcast rod and reel for my daughter, her spinning rods never leave home....even tho they are her favorite color.....pink. She prefers to fish Senkos. My oldest grandson won't try a baitcast reel...spinning only, while the next grandson prefers baitcast although he will occasionally use spinning. To each his own. I always try to get people to try baitcast reels as I am so fond of them, but ultimately it is up to each individual to decide what they like or don't like. The important thing is to enjoy the sport. Nothing finer than spending the day on the water fishing with family or friends.
Like you said, not everyone can afford to spend a lot on a hobby. Some that can won't. I try not to suggest a $200 rod or reel to someone only wanting to spend $100. I will suggest a $110 one, tho.
I don't agree with your statement that a wider variety of baits can be thrown on a baitcast reel even tho that is my preferred reel. People catch way bigger fish, using way bigger baits, in saltwater fishing with a spinning reel. On the other hand, only a true baitcast fanatic fishes 1/8 oz. and less lures. I think most will agree a spinning reel is much more efficient and commonly used for those weights.
I practice at a local boat ramp, and can guarantee that spinning gear outnumbers baitcast gear by a very, very wide margin in my area. Some days I never see anyone going out with a baitcast reel. I visit Florida every year and spend several days fishing, and see the same thing there. Average Joe prefers spinning gear.
I can't disagree with you that a spinning rod is used to catch big fish an I ain't saying that a spinning rod doesn't have its benefits because it shurly dose an I know over half of the bass I'v caught in my life have came off of spinning gear. I have a spinning rod with me everytime I go fishing. but for a starter rod for someone that has no idea what they are going to throw I'd suggest a medium fast action casting rod you can fish alot more things more efectiantly. one of the reasons I bout my first casting rod is because I fell in love with fishing hollow body frogs. an no matter what I tried I couldn't stick a fish with it tied on to a spinning rod so I bought a bait caster an my hookup ratio skyrocketed. I understand an respect your point of veiw but from mine I think that there are alot of very popular ways of fishing that he could fish better on bait casting rod if they could only have one. I'm glad to see he decided to buy one of both because that is great an in due time he will probly be adding to the collection an upgrading it. an that's great. he can now figure out what he likesays more an he can make decisions in the future about what else to get.
also you have to remember it depends on what part of the country you in to what would be most efficient. if you finesse fishing up north in supper clear watter a spinning rod would probly be better suited but if you down south around alot of grass timber whatever a bait casting would probly be more efficient.I fish in south Carolina an unless I'm fishing little crankbaits my spinning rods have atleast 10 pound normally up to 12 pound line because if I'm not throwing a crankbait on a spinning rod I'm skipping docks an getting way back over cross beams an all that. so realy it's just personal preference an fishing style but to someone that doesn't realy know what there favorite way of fishing is yet I would have to say imho that a bait caster would be more efficient.
new2BC4bass reply :
First let me thank you for giving me more than a 30 word reply. 
Second, if you couldn't stick a bass with a spinning rod and hollow-bodied frog, it was your rod, not the reel although if you were using mono that could also contribute. I visit Florida each year and keep one spinning rod there...a MHF with 40# braid. It hardly ever gets used. I rarely use a spinning rod locally.
Preaching to the choir. My b/c rods outnumber spinning rods by 7:1 while my b/c reels outnumber spinning reels 9:1.
Not much a b/c rod can't due as long as the operator puts in enough practice....including light crankbaits and skipping.
I think you and I would get along fine in a boat.
Yup, the OP needs both kinds, but looks like he only bought a spinning combo. Like I said, give him time.
Short post for me. Do I win anything?
dave reply :
I'm sorry...
cuddlewuddle...?
ranger7717 reply :
hahaha haha
cuddlewuddle reply :
It's the best name out there and now you won't forget me when I ask more questions down the line hehehe
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